The Environment Agency told Ipswich magistrates today (Mon) that the company had failed to find out what was in the tank before the incident, failed to place it in a bunded area where any spills could not run away into the environment and was ineffective in its response to the leak.

There was no report made to the Agency, no professional clean-up advice sought, no inspection of nearby drains afterwards and no knowledge of how much was spilt.

Cavalier Haulage was fined £2,000 and was ordered to pay full Environment Agency costs of £1,918 after pleading guilty to causing the pollution.

It took Environment Agency officers two days of researching surface water drainage systems and lifting of manhole covers to finally find the source of the oil pollution which was seen in the River Orwell around Ranleigh Road, Ipswich.

When they finally tracked it down to Dunlop Road on the industrial estate they visited the Cavalier Haulage site and were shown a large amount of oil stained sawdust in the yard, a large oily puddle in the middle of the yard and an oil sheen over the whole area.

In one corner was the tank with stained sawdust around it. The tank was propped on one side and there was a pipe bent up against the wall apparently to prevent further spillage.

There was no raised bunded area around the tank even though it was close to a manhole and within 15 metres of a drain.

A director of Cavalier told Agency investigators that the tank had been damaged by a forklift truck three days before. It had not been in use and was presumed empty or close to empty. When oil leaked from the tank the sawdust was put down and then left to dry.

The effects of the spill were still apparent three days after the incident indicating that a significant amount of oil had escaped into the drain.

Luckily there had not been any specific harm to flora or fauna but the water quality was affected and the potential for harm to a sensitive ecology was real.

Cavalier Haulage (Anglia) admitted that on or about 31 January 2005 they did cause poisonous, noxious or polluting matter to be discharged into controlled waters, namely the River Orwell at Horseshoe Sluice, Ipswich the county of Suffolk, contrary to section 85(1) Water Resources Act 1991.

After the hearing Environment Agency team leader Matt Butcher said: ‘Pollution incidents can cause significant harm to our rivers both in terms of water quality and amenity value. It is the responsibility of the polluter to ensure that the spillage is contained and removed to ensure that it does not reach our waterways.

‘Accidents do happen, but it is important to have the quality of installation and the emergency procedures in place to protect the environment when things go wrong.

‘The Oil Storage Regulations specify minimum standards for oil tanks and we willingly offer pollution prevention advice for their siting and operation at commercial and industrial premises. We would urge people to ask for our help before a spill rather than ending up in court like today.’

For advice on oil storage regulations contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.